Bust, Boom, and Hope: November 5, 2012

By Rick Horrow and Karla Swatek

November 5, 2012

“Bust”: Top Five Reasons the Armageddon is Near

1. Fox averaged a 7.6 Nielsen rating and 12.7 million viewers for its coverage of the San Francisco Giants’ sweep of the Detroit Tigers, marking the smallest World Series audience in history. The matchup was down 24% and 23%, respectively, from a 10.0 rating and 16.6 million viewers last World Series.

2. Plans to hold a F1 race in the New York/New Jersey area have been delayed until at least 2014 because of construction issues. According to Tripp Mickle of SportsBusiness Journal, the bigger concern is that race organizers haven’t raised enough cash to pay race fees and have fallen behind on payments.

3. Nike is selling its Umbro brand to Iconix Brand Group for $225 million, a $340 million loss from what it paid for the company back in 2008. Nike made the decision to divest Umbro because the Nike Football line has been more successful in the global soccer market.

4. Golfer Rory McIlroy and Acushnet Co.’s Titleist and Footjoy brands announced they would not continue their partnership beyond this year. McIlroy had been a Titleist and Footjoy endorser since turning pro in 2007. The move paves the way for him to sign with rival Nike Golf.

5. California has rejected a settlement between the San Francisco 49ers and Santa Clara schools that sought to split $30 million in taxpayer money. Santa Clara voters in 2010 earmarked $40 million for the 49ers’ stadium project, but local politicians tried taking 75% of that for schools. The compromise would have had the team giving schools half of what they sought.

“Boom”: Top Five Reasons that Prosperity is Right Around the Corner

1. NBC Sports has acquired English Premier League TV rights in the U.S. in a multiyear deal worth $80-85 million annually. NBC will televise up to 380 matches each season across its broadcast and cable channels. NBC will not tape delay matches and doesn’t plan on reselling rights to other networks.

2. The Washington Nationals’ payroll this offseason could top the $100 million-threshold for the first time in franchise history. The Nationals’ 2012 payroll was nearly $93 million, by far the team’s highest since moving to D.C. in 2005.

3. After all of the Papa John’s commercials Peyton Manning has appeared in this season, the Denver Broncos QB finally is putting his money where his mouth is. In addition to being a Papa John’s endorser, Manning has become the company’s newest franchisee, agreeing to own 21 stores in the Denver area.

4. Richard Childress Racing announced that General Mills’ Cheerios brand will return as the primary sponsor of the No. 31 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car driven by Jeff Burton for six races next season. RCR and General Mills have had a partnership dating back to 2008.

5. Augusta National is planning a major renovation to its iconic clubhouse, which was built in 1854. Preliminary plans filed with the city of Augusta show a two-level addition to the clubhouse, but the exact size and cost of the renovation won’t be known until a building plan is submitted.

“Hope”: Top Five Reasons That Creativity is the Key to Economic Survival

1. Manchester United has bought out its sponsorship deal with DHL with the hope of signing a more lucrative deal for rights to its training kit. ManU was in the second year of a four-year, $64 million deal with the international delivery company, but after signing a massive shirt deal with Chevrolet, the EPL club thinks the practice kit rights are worth significantly more.

2. In order to get his team to buy into a reduced celebration policy, Jacksonville Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey donates $250 to charity every time a player simply hands the ball over to a ref after a TD. Seven local sponsors and the Jags foundation match Mularkey’s donation, resulting in nearly $30,000 raised for the Ronald McDonald House.

3. Taco Bell last week made good on its promise to give away free Doritos Locos Tacos nationwide because of a promotion that offered the giveaway if any player stole a base in the World Series. The quick-serve restaurant expected to give out a couple million tacos, which normally sell for $1.29 each.

4. Despite her poor performance on the racetrack and drops in her Q score, Danica Patrick is still grouped with Venus and Serena Williams as the most marketable female athletes. Patrick in recent weeks has been the subject of rumors that her Go Daddy endorsement might be in jeopardy.

5. Golfer Ernie Els has signed with IMG for global management and marketing representation. It’s the second time Els has changed management companies in the last year as he tries to capitalize on his 2012 British Open win. He joins IMG’s stable of golfers that includes Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald.